MCGANN PROVIDES HOLLYWOOD THRILLS IN LIVERPOOL: REPORT
Liverpool is steeped in sporting history and this weekend the city served up three courses
Topping the bill was the man everyone had come to see, Jack McGann. The super welterweight faced Edvinas Puplauskas in a real back and forth contest.
It may sound strange describing the fight as a back and forth considering the Lithuanian was on the canvas four times and had two points deducted inside five rounds but it was a bout where McGann, although so far ahead on the scorecards, could’ve been stopped at any time after seemingly appearing hurt in the third round.
The crowd was deafening as the 29 year old strutted to the ring. In the front row, cheering and whistling, was Peaky Blinders and Snatch star Stephen Graham who can regularly be found ringside when Jack McGann fights.
Jack opened the fight with great success dropping his opponent twice in the first two rounds, those rounds also saw Puplauskas lose his gumshield from his mouth, which would go on to be a reoccurrence throughout the coming rounds.
The third round saw the gumshield hit the canvas twice more, causing a point deduction for the away corner. However, it was the best round for the journeyman as he had the fan favourite hurt leading his corner, led by Martin Murray, to plead with him to, “keep it long,” and utilise his jab.
Round four saw the tables turn once more as McGann went on a vicious body attack visibly hurting Edvinas with the shots downstairs.
The fifth round should’ve been the midway point of the fight but it was instead the conclusion. McGann once more hurt his foe, dropping him to the canvas for a third time after a hurtful combination. Before you knew it it was back on the mat again, not the Latvian but his gumshield. Another point deduction. Puplauskas started to come forward with some purpose again, landing a right hand which immediately saw him yell in pain, shake his hand and take a knee from where he did not recover. A broken hand I suspect.
As the referee waved the fight off those in the crowd who weren’t already on their feet were now. A jubilant audience matched the feelings of Team McGann inside the ring.
Carberry, 22, was arguably the star performer of the night and thoroughly impressed as he landed at will on the Ukrainian in the opposite corner. Adam couldn’t miss with the right hand and he unlocked his opponent in round three forcing the referee to stop the onslaught.
Leon Willings entered the ring off the back of his first professional loss, to ‘The Camden Caretaker’ Robbie Chapman, taking on debutant Bahadur Karami.
It was a bout that didn’t set the world alight as Karami had some early success but Willings soon took control landing with uppercuts throughout and making the Iranian miss.
Karami was let’s say unorthodox in his punching style as he landed with his palm rather than knuckles, which led to a final warning from the referee after warning him numerous times to just simply punch properly.
One thing you cannot take away from the debutant is that he showed a good chin, although hitting the canvas in the sixth and final round before hearing the final bell. The scorecard read 59-54 in favour of Leon Willings.
Next up in the ring was Marcel Braithwaite who was levels above Steven Maguire.
‘Livewire’ Maguire was defused as the former British title challenger showed he was a class above claiming every one of the six rounds.
In the co-main event was the talented Brad Strand who boxes out of the Everton Red Triangle alongside Nick Ball, Andrew Cain and Joe McGrail who were all in attendance to witness their gym mate improve his record to 8-0.
Alexandru Ionita was in the away corner only to leave with the 15th defeat of his career.
Overall the event was a real success for Neilson Boxing in the fighting city. The venue was superb but will soon be outgrown if Jack McGann keeps winning.
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